Page 78 of Allure

“What is it he’s buying?” I ask. “You probably can’t tell me that.”

“I can’t, but I will say that he seems very desperate.”

“I thought maybe someone is sick, that he needs the money for insurance, but credit cards won’t help with that.”

The detective says nothing, neither confirming nor denying. Not a shock.

“We’re on our own, I take it?”

“If someone is in the area, they’ll swing by and drive through the lot, but I’m afraid that’s the best I can offer.”

“I understand. I’ll take what I can get.”

“Ms. Adams? Before you go, I just want to say that I think this is wonderful, what you’re doing.”

“Thank you.”

I hang up. I don't want the detective's praise, though. I want him to back me up, but apparently, that's too much to ask for.

CHAPTER27

I’m not about to let this go, though. Obsessive personality, remember? Who else can I ask? I’ve already spoken to Declan, but he has his father’s ear…

Declan seems to be in a foul mood, though, and I quickly learn why. Sensei has selected a date for the black belt test. Jackie would’ve been up for it, but she couldn’t have stuck around for the two months it would take for her to finalize her training and prepare for it.

I overheard them talk about it in the office before class, and then Sensei announces it for us all to hear. The brown belts eligible are asked to train as many times a week as they can, preferably four times, and yes, Saturday morning classes are back, which gives them another chance to hit the mat. Purple and red belts are allowed to come and watch the hours-long test, and all Sempais are asked to attend to support the hopeful new black belts as well as to be training partners for those testing.

It sounds like a very exciting time, but I can understand Declan's frustration. Why couldn't Sensei have had the test already? A few months ago and Jackie could've tested, but she also wouldn't have been able to learn much of the new black belt curriculum either before having to quit.

Life sucks, and then you die. She put in years of effort into her training, even training until she was eight months pregnant. No one can question her dedication, and she deserves that belt. I’m frustrated for her.

I also don’t want to be the one to tell her about the test date. I don’t envy whoever lets that cat out of the bag.

Back to grappling for this class, and I’m taught two submissions—the cross-collar choke and the Americana from mount and side mount. The cross-collar choke is easy enough. From the mount position, you reach your right hand in to grab their Gi top close to their neck. You do the same with the left hand, turn your wrists so they’re knuckles raised and press down with your crossed forearms against their throat and chest area. When it’s done to me, I almost choke out right away, having to tap almost immediately.

As for the Americana submission, you pick an arm, grab that wrist with both hands, place an elbow in the arm, snake the other arm so that you have your hand come up through the square you made with their arm and your own to grab your wrist, and you drag their wrist away from their body and down slowly, so you give them time to tap. It's basically the exact same thing from side mount. You just start perpendicular to them.

It takes me about six tries to figure out how to snake my hand through properly, but after that, it’s already becoming easier and easier. I’m starting to appreciate the constant drilling we do. If you don’t do a million kicks and punches the correct way, when you’re facing a threat, you won’t be able to do it properly, and then you run the risk of getting hurt.

Instinct. That’s what the goal is for, and I know I’m hoping we’ll get many women to sign up for classes because one class isn’t going to be nearly enough for them to master what they’ve been taught in a few hours.

Since Declan seems to be miserable, I figure I’ll just leave him be, but when I leave the dojo after class, he’s leaning against the building next to the door.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“Not much,” he mutters.

“I really enjoyed class today. Learning submissions is so much fun!”

“It doesn’t take much to please you, does it?”

“Nope, and I fail to see how that’s a bad thing.”

“Not a bad thing. Just… unexpected.”

“Right. Because I come from money, I should be a stuck-up snob.”

“I never said that.”

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